Chapter 18: Unexpected Opportunity


    Chapter 18: Unexpected Opportunity


    (Olivia''s POV)


    Ether carried Victoria in his arms, her head nestled against his chest as they walked away. I watched them disappear into the elevator feeling something inside me copse.


    My legs gave out. I slid down against my cat burying my head in my knees.


    The concrete floor was cold beneath me. Cold like the emptiness spreading through my chest.


    I had lost everything. My daughter. My mate. And now the money that would have secured Lily''s sacred burial ground.


    "Uity'' I whispered, my voice breaking. Tim so sorry, baby."


    Time lost all meaning as I sat there alone in the parking garage. The echo of my sobs


    bounced off the concrete walls, mocking my pain.


    Eventually, I forced myself to stand. The award ceremony would start soon.


    I had clung to a sliver of hope that Ethan might believe me. That he woulde back and at least look at Lily''s death certificate.


    His cold demeanor had shattered that hopepletely.


    The $50,000 prize money had been my only chance. My only way to purchase the sacred burial ground for Lily''s ashes.


    Now Victoria would collect it, while my daughter''s spirit remained without peace.


    I straightened my dress with trembling hands. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken.


    Not now. Not ever


    Backstage at Lunar Tower, the atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy. Contestants fussed with their appearances, makingst-minute adjustments. Victoria stood in the center of it all, a smug smile ying on her lips. Her Full Moon Haute Couture Gown shimmered under the lights.


    The midnight blue fabric entuated her pale skin perfectly. I recognized the dress


    immediately.


    1.5


    Chanter 18 Unexpected Oppo


    * Points


    It wasn''t scheduled for public release until next season. Only Ethan, with his connections and


    wealth, could have procured it for her so early.


    Victoria basked in the envious nces from the other contestants. Her eyes


    found mine across the room, and her smile widened.


    "Yes, he loves me very much," she announced loudly to the small group surrounding her. "He is very good to me."


    Her words stabbed through me like knives. They were meant for me. A deliberate twist of the


    de in my already bleeding heart.


    I turned away, focusing on adjusting my simple but elegant dress. I refused to give her the


    reaction she craved.


    The ceremony began promptly at eight. Gabriel Morrison, the master of ceremonies,


    weed everyone with practiced charm.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, wee to the annual Pack Healer''s Crystal Competition," he announced. "Tonight, we celebrate innovation and excellence in healing crystal design."


    My hands clenched into fists as he continued. My knuckles turned white from the pressure.


    "And now, the moment you''ve all been waiting for," Gabriel said, his voice rising dramatically.


    "The winners of this year''spetition!"


    I caught Ethan''s cold gaze across the room. He stood tall and imposing in his tailored suit.


    His amber eyes were hard as they met mine. Not a trace of warmth remained in them.


    "In first ce, Gabriel announced, "with her revolutionary crystal arrangement for elerated healing... Victoria Frost!"


    Apuse erupted around the room. The sound was deafening.


    Victoria''s face lit up with practiced surprise and delight. The confirmation of her victory felt


    like another blow to my chest.


    I had known it wasing, but hearing it announced made it real. Made it final.


    "In second ce," Gabriel continued, "Olivia Winters, with her innovative moonstone configuration!"


    A ripple of surprise went through the crowd. Despite everything, I had ced second.


    "And in third ce, Sophia Hughes, with her remarkable design for pain management!"


    Sophia''s face registered genuine shock and pleasure the yoghed by


    expected to ce


    As we walked onto the stage/set the weight every geth HA,


    followed my every move


    Despite Victoria''s borate gown and perfectly styled her many y de fam


    instead


    Even Ethan''s etention momentenly shifted in my direction die wyn w unreadable,


    but for a split second, something flickered in this okay mg


    Victoria notices. He smile tightened at theers as she was a


    appearance was being overshadowed.


    All her efforts the exclusive grown, the sedes make the veget


    match whatever quality possessed that drew people''s armon


    The realization clearly stung her code. He eyes narrowed singly as she opene congrattions of those around he


    Ethan stepped forward to present Victode with the award the banning the $50,000 prize money looked gatish under the bright ingre


    1 watched with a bitter sole as the man who had dosegarded or daughter and te money meant for Lily''s sacred butal ground


    They stood together, am in am. The perfect couple


    Hatred surged through me, hot and fierce remembered the day of Lily''s cremation


    How I had stood alone, ciuscting the Moonwood Ceremonial to while EFTET WERD TOSINTEST


    Whispers rippled through the crowd. Somepared Victors and Ethan to the Trgines in the leaked photos from Disney


    HETTISATION


    The ones showing them together while Lilly had been dying in the Medical Den The TTESATY intensified my pain.


    I forced myself to breathe steadily, to maintain myposure would not break from Fence Not in front of them.


    "And now, Gabriel announced, to present the second ce award, we have Lanas ckwrsss) Alpha of ckwood Pack


    Chapter TS thexpected Oppo


    + Points>


    The tall, imposing figure of Lucas ckwood approached the stage. His dark gray


    suit emphasized his broad shoulders.


    His prating gaze swept over the crowd with cool detachment. Until he


    reached me.


    The aloofness he had maintained with everyone else melted away. A gentle smile


    curved his lips as he extended the award toward me.


    "Congrattions," he said, his deep voice warm and sincere.


    For the first time that evening, a genuine smile touched my lips. My eyes


    brightened as I epted the award from his hands.


    "Thank you," I replied softly.


    We stood together on the stage. Something about ourbined presence sparked excited


    murmurs amongst the attendees.


    I could hear the whispers. Spection about a possible connection between us spread like


    wildfire through the crowd.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan watching our interaction. His expression darkened as


    he observed the warmth in my smile.


    The same smile he had rejected earlier. His jaw clenched tight, a muscle twitching


    visibly.


    Gregory Hayes, the chief designer of Canis Enterprises, stepped forward next to present the third-ce award to Sophia Hughes.


    "Congrattions, Miss Hughes," he said, handing her the award. "Your design


    shows


    remarkable promise."


    Turning to address the audience, he continued, "As is tradition, Canis Enterprises wees the first-ce winner as an intern. Victoria Frost, we look forward to having you join our team."


    Victoria beamed triumphantly. This internship, with its connections to the


    renowned designer


    Alexander Thornton, was a significant step.


    A significant step toward winning the former CEO''s approval. She nced in my


    direction, her


    eyes gleaming with victory.


    In her mind, she had wonpletely. Even if I were to win futurepetitions, it


    wouldn''t


    matter.


    She had secured this crucial opportunity. This connection to Alexander Thornton


    that could


    make her career.


    Checter 11/2 expected Opps


    Just as Victoria''s silent gloating reached its peak, Gregory Hayes cleared his


    throat.


    "However, this year, we have an unprecedented announcement," he said, his


    voice carrying


    across the hushed room.


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